Marksmanship practicing device



original Filed Feb. 1.5, 195e MARKSMANSHIP FRACTICNGmavml v A Feb. A a I Ivg; FALKNERG ,l

MMXSMANSHI; PHAcjIcNa DEVICE i n' n' y Original Filed Febv. 15, 1936 5 sheetssheet 3 j; v l 6 .l y y l f 's ""/L-"W/ "i" j 92 original Filed @5.115,1936 5 Smets-sheet 5 ,nirrs;o srsrsseeresr reise MAR-KSMAHSHIP PRACTCNG DEVICE William P. Falkenberg, Chicago, lill., ass'gnor'to Rayollie Rifle Bange Company, Chicago, Ill., a, corporation of Gkiahoma.

originel @sucesos February 15, 193s, serial No.

64,042. Divided and this application October 'f v j* 7, 1935, Seal N0. 104,435 t 'z claims. (ci. 12e- 15) My invention relates to improvements in marksmanship devices and has for one object to provide anew and improved form oi movable target.

Another object is to provide a, new and improved form of marksmanship device Whereinra.

light sensitive cell is med as partY of the target and means are provided for projecting e. timed. very short'ash of light from a gun upon the target to simulate the action of a bullet.

Another object is to provide a new and improved fcrm of light gun for projecting@ flash of light upon a target.

Another object is toy provide means whereby a. single light sensitive cell may be used in connection with a plurality -of movable targets to cause each target successively to respond if a. light :flush ls projected upon it while it is located in the eiming area.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification sind clsims.

The present application is a division of .my co pending application Serial No. $1,042, led on February 15, i936.

-My invention is illustrated more or less dlagrommoticolly lin the accompanying drawings.

wherein: 1

Figure i is e. iront elevation oi the target meclmnism; A i

Figure 2 is e plan view of the device shown in Figure l; j

Figure 3 is e. side elevation of the gun sind part of lhe target mechanism, with ports in section;

Figure 4 is o longitudinal section of a. portion oi' the gun;

Figure 5 is e. section similar to Figure 4 show- Y ing the trigger in a different position;

3. which supports a' shaft l having a pulley 5.' 6 is a, speed reduction gear having e. pulley 1. ,An endless belt 3, travels over the pulleys 5 and 1. The speed reduction gear 6 is mounted on the base i, es is a motor 9 which provides' power to operate the speed reduction gear. il), Il 'are curvilinear tracks supported on uprights I2, projecting upwardly from the bese i. The upper portion of the curvilinear tracks may be provided with horizontal sections i3, I4, es indicated, which carry on their upper surfaces insulated tracks i5, iS. Projecting radially fromA the shaft 4 are sleeves il, i8 in which are slidable extension sleeves ill and 2li. Springs 2l ere enclosed within .the pairs of sleeves il, is and li, 2d.

Mounted on the outer ends of the sleeves I9. 20 are carriages 22, 23 having rollers 211 adapted to travel along the. trucks ill, iLnelng thrust against the inner neripheries thereof by the springs 2l. Esch carrie/ge supports e light sensitive cell 25, and plvoted on each carriage in front of the light sensitive cell is en eperisired duck or similar target 2S, 2l. These aiming objects are adapted normally to remain in' o. piene perpendicular to the ezels of rotation ln the preferred form since the asis of rotation is generally perellel with the line o sight, the aiming ooiects remain normally in e. position newendiculer to the line of sight. This whole epssrstns, that is, the duck, the cell, the csrriogge, and the associated mechanism. comprises e target and forget drop assembly.

Downwerdiy depending from the horizontal portion i3 of the trees. le is a, bracket Si). This bracket carries o. solenoid 3i. Associated with the solenoid di is en armature 32, pivoted on the bracket 3Q end having an upwardly extending erm 33, held es shown in Figure 3 against clockwise rotation by the spring 35. This arm supports o, target drop 'oer 3E. which extends per- A ailel with and adlccent the track portion J3,

Figure 10 is e. section along e line similar to- Figure 4, showing e. slightly modified form;

Figure ll is a diagrammatic Wiringy diagram;

and l Figure 12 is a. perspective View of the device in operation.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings;

I ls e. supporting base. Projecting upwardly beneath end out of contact with the carriages 22 and 23 they travel along the track. Exe

tending dovmvrardiy from the targets 25, 21 ore lingers S6, there being one for each target. These fingers extend down below the ber 35, and being located forwardly of the carriage, they are free to rotate without interference with it. When the solenoid 3i is energized, it pulls the armature 32 in a clockwise direction. causing the* har v35 to l strike the nger 35 to knock the duck or other ta! get over' in 'che direction toward the shooter.

'When the motor is operated, the targets travel round end round along their track ins clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 1, being supp l ,dielarnis are assisted in'ther work bythe carfriage. which Atravels along 'the traclr,y and thus adenddxiven by the radial, arms. These rathe target' is constrained to a. rtilineer motion for e. portionv of itsjtrevel. lf the trecirwere omitted, or if the track-were curvilinear through out, the duck orA target would have e, circular path in .the line of sight end under some circumstances this is desirable, though under other circumstances it is desirable to have the target' constrained to e horizontal line of travel. By

changing the contour of the track. it is possible to change or control the line of travel of the target'while it is within the aiming area. For instance, byinc1ining the horizontal part i3 of the track upwardly, the ducks could be mede to appear to take a rising flight. Other changes in this 4arrangement are, of course; obvious.

Referring now to the gun es illustrated speciflcally in Figures 3 to 7, stl is the gun stock, il the barrel, d2 an electric cable passing out through the gun stock through the pistol grip 43 and this cable forms the center connection between the gun and the rest of the mechanism so that the gun may be manipulated by the shooter just as if there were no connection between it and the mechanism.

44 is a hollow receiver, :l5 the fore end associ- ,ated with the receiver end barrel, t6 the trigger.

guard and il the trigger. The trigger is pivoted within the receiver on a pivot screw d8, and is heid in the forward position by the spring e9. l) is a tension member extending from the trigger over the pulley 5l to the lever arm 52 of an iris diaphragm shutter et of the sort used in connection with cameras and the like. 5t is en electric light bulb mounted on a bracket L35 in the receiver behind the shutter. t3 is a lens in the barrel adjacent the bridge; 51 e. lens in the barrel adjacent the muzzle. E3 is a rear sight and 59 the front sight.

The arrangement is such that when current is on the light, if the trigger is pulled the shutter `will suddenly open and close, allowing a short timed almost instantaneous iesh of light to be projected through the shutter end into the barrel. 'being there condensed and controlledhy the lens so es to project a dash ci light upon the light sensitive cell associated with the target assembly if the piece is properly aimed. The duration of the flash of light must be greet enough so that 'the current generated in the light sensitive cell will be sufilcient in force anddurction so that the amplifying 'system may go into operation. At the saine time, the iissh'o light must be so short that the operator cannot swing the gun after the light is on to follow up the target.v

60 is a. bracket on the side wel! of the receiver. It serves es an anchorage for the spring i9 and carries en. insulating bloei; 5I, in which'are mounted flexible switch points 62, 53, insulated one from another end associated with conductors'll, lll, which extend out through the cable directing the switch points S3, 5.2. A5 .590.13 the hut es it does so, the dog tu depresses' the spring POint 63 .to closea circuit between it 'andthe spring point t2, the purpose of which will hereinciter appear. Y

Associated with the irisdialhragrn shutter is a "bracket Bill having insulating block 6'!!- in which are mounted the switch 4points 68, 69 associated with conductors IEB. l59,' which also pess'out through the cable 52, Whenever the shutterris operated,v the pin l@ associated therewith enf gages the switch point et and closes 'a circuit-1"" f between 68 and $9, the purpose of which willv y.

hereinafter appear. It will be understood that the conductors llt, H5 to. furnishV current for the lamp 5t also pass out through the cable 62.

By this arrangement it will be noted that .the light ls energized while the gun is being used. Ordinarily the gun is used with a great deal of rapidity, ten shots being made in a very short length of time, and there will be no objection to that. Under some circumstances it may happen that the user will stand the gun in its rech for a while and perhaps not iinish its whole number of shots and this would leave the 'iight burning indenitely;'which would he undesirable.A Therey fore, the device shown in Figure 1Q is provided with a mercury switch ld, set in an inclined posl.

tion as indicated so that when the gun is horizontal for use a circuit will be closed. If the gun is leid clown or is stood up or is held in some other position, the mercury switch will breek the cir cuit through the light only, thus protecting the light and gun from overheating. y

In the modied form shown in Figures 8 and 9, the mechanism and pens are all the same yeircept that the light sensitive oeil is omitted. In place of it, is en inclined curved mirror edepted to he mashed by the target and to receive a flesh 'of light which hes been properly directed on the target to pess throiufh the aperture therein. Instead of having a separate photo-electric oeil shooter releases his hold on triggergathe springl 1' de returns it to the position shown in Figure e, i

ao Y

for each target, a photo or light sensitive cell 8l is supported inthe cabinet $2 which eucloses the target mechanism and this light sensitive cell is' associated with a curved reflector cil. The ongles and shapes of the reiiectors dd end t5 ere such that, whenever e beam ofA light passes through the aperture in the target, so long es the target is in its electlve or shooting aree, that beam of light will be rene-cieli from the target mirror to the light cell mirror and there directed upon the light sensitive cell. Y

It will lloe mxderstood that the purpose o! the light sensitive cell in each cese is to generate a sulilcient current when e. flesh oi light imnlnges upon it, such thct the current can he empllided or controlled or made use of to cause the operation of the solenoid and drop the target. thereby indicating to the user that a hit hos been mede. The mechanism by `which the signaal or the light sensitive cell is picked up, amplified and medeV Se 0f formi? n0 Dart of my present invention end a. large number of suitable circuits end apparatus fOr amllilins' this Purpose ere available and Weil-known on the market. t

'Ine purpose voi the switch associated with the iris shutter Ls by electrical ineens to causo the operation of what is known in the' ltrede es a third device which hes for its purpose to make e.

sound simulating the impact of a bullet on a target.4 This explosion or sound ought to come, of courseimmedie ely after the trigger is pulledI and the light or light bullet is projected,

i l l y that is, the number of times shots are red.A

controls the time at which the light is flashed. The switch mechanism associated with the trigger itself is for the purpose of operating a counting mechanism and cut-ofi switch so asl to measure or meter the number of times the trigger is pulled,

ll evices of this kind are ordinarily used in connection with coin control mechanisms and only a certain predetermined number of shots may be fired for one coin, hence it is necessary to have some means aociated with the trigger to control the operation of a suitable shot counting mechanism.

Referring now to the wiring diagram shown in Figure 11, |0| indicates a shooting stand. |{l2 -is a coin controlled slide which, when a coin is inserted and the slide is pushed in, operates the' either cannot be pushed in or if it does produces no result unless the 'coin is present, and that it,

automatically withdraws after the coin has once been used to operate. When the slide has been pushed in, a circuit is closed at the switch points iii-3 and also a circuit is closed by the time switch Iil. This time switch |04 remainsy operative for a predetermined period of time and thereafter opens the circuit. When the circuits are closed at IGS-and |04, a current passes from the battery along the conductor |95, through the switch points |03, conductors |66 and H11, through the switch |05, conductor |88, through the solenoid iilS, conductorsii, through the reset coil ||2, conductors 3 and H4, and thence returned to the battery. This circuit closes three circuits at H5, ||G and ||1, because the solenoid moves lthe switch members into the closed position. It also pulls the armature H3 in a clockwise direction against the spring ||9 and through a shunt circuit from conductor H0, through conductor |26 through reset magnet |2|, conductor |22. back to ii, pulls the armature |23 in a clockwise direction against the spring |24. The movement of the armature Iii! inaugurates the operation of the shot counter to control the number of shots which may be fired. The movement of the armature |28 inaugurata; operation of the hlt counter to indicate thejniunber of hits that have been made.

when the armature i8 is moved in a clockwise direction, the latch |25 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel |25 and the spring |21 rotates that wheel in a counter clockwise direction, moving the finger |28 along the quadrant |29 into the dotted line position. The latch |30 on the armature |31 associated with the actuating magnetl |32 is at that time in the inoperative position.

With reference to the hit counting-mechanism. the action is the same, though in the drawings it is shown as if there were no indication of hits to start with from the preceding use, s0 all that the coil |2| does is to pull the armature |23 back to maintain the latch |13 out of contact with the ratchet |36, the spring |35 holding the conductor arm lagainst the stop |31 in the starting position.

- Because the circuit is closed only temporarily at i3, some means are needed to lock the circuits closed at H5, I|8 and H1. These means are as follows:

Under these circumstances a current travels through the conductor |39 from the ordinary house wiring power circuit at volts to the conductor |30, through H1, conductors Hl, |42,

y aliel'.

to theV transformer `i thence .through'thecon-` ductors i ,m5, isili to return to the house iighting circuit through conductor |111. The motor 9.

is 4supplied with power by means of a circuit leading from lii through conductor it, conductor |49, conductor Mila to conductor lli-5 so that the motor and the transformer are in par- Also, the conductor |56 leading from the conductor |68 through the transformer |5| 'oack to the conductor |48 furnishes 6 volt alternating current to operate the other parts of the mechanism as will hereinafter appear.

A holding circuit is at the same time closed leading from the 30 volt power source associated with the transformer |43 through conductor |52 to the arm |28 thence through the segment |29, conductor |53, to conductor |20. conductor H0, through the solenoid coil |09, conductor |03, the time switch |04, conductor |01, conductor |54,

back to the power source |55. This provides a locking circuit to maintain solenoid |09 energized and keep the circuits closed `at H5, H6 and H1. The apparatus is now ready for the user to shoot because the hit indicator and the shot counter are in the starting position and themotor is driving the targets.

The operator then aims at the target and pulls the trigger. circuit is closed at 68, in response to the operation of the shutter. When this is done, the current travels from the transformer |5i, through conductor |55, switch H5, conductor |51, ccnductor |53. to switch point 59, thence trom 68 through'conductor |59. through a solenoid coil |66, which moves the core |16 to the ielt striking the hammer |1| against an anvil |12 to make a. thud or sound of explosion. During this operation. current also passes from the transformer coil through conductor |56, I5, |51, conductor |13, conductor |14 through the light 58. conductor |16, |16, baci: to the transformer coil.

When the operator releases the trigger. n circuit is closed at 62. 63 in the gun. Under these circumstances. current travels from |13, 82, S3, |11, actuating coils |32. conductor |13 to |18. When the coil |32 lo energized the armature i3| is pulled to the right nnd the conductor nger |28 is moved one tcp in n clockwise direction. Each time this happens this nrm is moved another step :will citer preferably ten :shots it runs oil' the quadrant 52s. breaks the connection. releases the locking circuit. und the whole mechanism returns lo its inoperative position When he pulls the trigger, a f

with the motor at rest and the transformery dead.

In the event that when the shooter pulito the trigger the gun was properly aimed. a current is generated in the light sensitive cell 2li and current passes from the cell through the conductor |19, Contact linger |80, conductor mii it, conductor |31, switch. HS. conductor |83. switch l |85. conductor |89 and conductor |90. coil 3| to knock the target down. thence through conductor isi, ii back to the other side of the H0 volt A. C. house line. At the same time, current passes through the shunt transformer coil The power unit which simplifies the signal or impulse fromthe light sensitive cell is constantly maintained in an energized condition by 110 volt current fromv the conductor '139 through conductor 595, transformer coil 19S. conductor i9? and beck to the main line at Idl.

When a. hit is made, it is indicated by illumimating a light. Since ten shots can be red, ten

hits are possible and so there are ten lights, onefor each hit and each hit illuminates the light next in the series. The function of this mechanisrn is as follows: When the solenoid H is energized as above indicated and the circuit is closed at IS, current passes from 89 through G93 through the transformer 99, conductor 269, hack to the main line through i413, M5, 56 and Isl. This generates a current in the circuit Bill to energize the coil 262, move the armature 263 in a clockwise direction against the tension of the spring 294, and rotate the ratchet wheel i3d 'against the tension oi the spring 35 one notch. This brings the arrn ISS in contact with the terminal 285 and a circuit is closed throh ISS, |40, switch H1, conductor IM, M2, through the hand switch Zil, and conductors 201 to the linger |38, and light No. 1 is illuminated.

For each successive hit, the some thing happens except that the arm |36 moves from point to p'oint illuminating successive Lumbes. and when the last shot is fired, the light indicating the highest number ot hits remains lighted until the mechanism is returned to the starting position, so that during the time when the machine is idlethe hits made by the lest customer are always shown.

Referring to Fig. 12, 22B is the housing. It is apertured at 22S `end the aperture is enclosed by a glare; panel 221. Bi *rind it is visible a landscape with the moving targ. ii indicates the series of apertures in the target through which the hits mcmade visible by iliuniination of the lights behind the numbers. il is en electric cable containing a number ct conductors leading from 'the cabinet 225 to the gunstaud 23:3. mi is cn electric cable leading from the gunstsnd 221? to the sun 232.

283 is the coin control slot ond slide mounted on thc gunstsnd 23S is the upper part of the gun rack and liil is the lower part. It will hc noted thst the upper part ll is slotted so that a gun may he rested in the reci: with the butt resting on the bot-trim 235 and the gun in the open sided slot fitti. 33S issn electric conductor leading from the cabinet 23s to s light socket not shown with the house lighting circuit whereby electric c urneni may ce supplied lo the apparatus.

l. In a terget devicgefa plurality oi movable targets and means for successively bringing them into :timing-position, each target comprising on operi-cred piste and s. reflecting mirror mounted for movement therewith, a fixed mirror, and a light sensitive cell essocistedwith the fixed mirror. the relationship between the apertures tsrget plaie. the movable mirror and the fixed mirror being such that when e nosh o1 light penetratesthe apex-turen target piste and imping'es upon the :novelle mirror, it will he re eccl by it and by xed mirror against the ligh` sensitive cell.

` l 4 accesos in' psraiiei with the con 3 1 so mig 'the ben" 19t once for each hit. y

into aimingv position, each target comprising van apertured plate and a reiecting mirror mountedv for movement therewith, a. iixed mirror, a light sensitive cell sssccieted with the fixed mirror, the relationship between the apertured target plate, the movable mirror and the fixed mirror. being such that when a. flash of light penetrates the light sensitive cell by such light flash for indicating a hit on the target.

3. In a markslnanship device, a target adapted to move across the line of sight, a carriage upon which the target is mounted, the target including a plate adapted normally vto remain in a position4 perpendicular to the line of sightMelectromagnetic means adapted to engage the plate to knock it over, a light sensitive cell associated with the targets and means for successively bringing them target, and amplifying means interposed between the light senstive cell and the electromagnetic means whereby a signal resulting from the implngement of the light flash on the cell is amplified and actuales the electromagnetic means.

4. In a target apparatus, a targetv including a reecting member, a normally fixed light sensitive cell, adapted to receive light from said ree- SV ash of light from said .reflecting member upon said cell, and ineens for importing movement to said target and reiecting rnemhcr during its use. 6. In atarget epperetus, a target including n bose and means for moving it, sn epertured tm'- get member positioned on' sind bese, a reflecting member positioned :o the rear of said aperture. 1 light sensitive cell adopted to receive light from :nid reflecting member, seid light sensitive cell being normally Exon, signal means, end means for actuating seid signal moons in response to the implngement oi a reected flash of light from scid refjecting member on said cell.

'1. In o. target device. a movable target and means for mowing the target through n. predetermined pech. seid target including on apex-tuned plate and a mirror mounted in olismment with sslci aperture. solo. mirror end plate mounted for movement, as e. unit, a fixed mirror, and n light sensitive cell operatively disposed to receive light reflected from the fixed mirror: the relation o! the xed mirror rind the movable target being such that when e 'cesan oi. iight penetrates tho aperture oi' the target while moving through a predetermined portion ci its path o! movement and lmpl'iges troon said mirror carried by the target, said iight beam is reected upon the stationery mirror and from thence to lthe light sensitive cell. and signal means operative in spouse to energlsstion of the cell;

Wm* P. FALm I: are 

